Del Worsham (Funny Car) and Shane Gray (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s noon eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

Force claimed her second No. 1 qualifying position of the season by making a 3.828-second pass at 317.94 mph in her Castrol Edge dragster. The sophomore driver is seeking her first career win and says that would be the perfect Father’s Day gift for her 16-time world championship dad, John Force.

“[Winning] would be the ultimate Father’s Day present to my dad,” said Force, who is paired against the legendary Chris Karamesines in the first round. “I love coming here to Bristol. It’s one of my favorite tracks by far. It’s just beautiful and green, and I have forgotten how loud it is when you’re standing down here at Thunder Valley. I’m excited for race day, and I would love to end up in the winner’s circle. I think it’s pretty awesome to be running alongside the legendary Greek.”

Optima Batteries dragster driver J.R. Todd qualified second with a 3.835 at 315.12 and will face Terry McMillen in the opening round and seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher, a five-time Bristol winner, qualified third in his U.S. Army dragster with a 3.854 at 330.47 and will meet Billy Torrence in the opener.